# SBB FreeSurf — Free Internet > Free internet access on SBB trains via mobile network. (iPhone/iPad app by SBB AG.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sbb-freesurf/id1437409619 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [SBB AG](https://appshunter.io/developer/294855240) - Category: Travel, Utilities - Price: Free - Rating: 1.20/5 from 36 App Store ratings · 56 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 14.0 · 53 MB - Languages: German (Germany), American English, Italian, French (France) - Released: 2020-12-08 - Data updated: 2026-08-12 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sbb-freesurf/id1437409619/reviews.md ## What is SBB FreeSurf? Internet access free of charge from the app. SBB FreeSurf is available on all SBB long-distance trains (IC and IR). SBB FreeSurf is based on the excellent mobile phone coverage along the Swiss rail routes – passengers can benefit from a faster and smoother internet connection with more bandwidth than you get with conventional train Wi-Fi. Customers with a digitec, Quickline, Salt (Das Abo, GoMo, Lidl Connect are included), Sunrise or Swisscom mobile phone contract can surf the internet for free with die SBB FreeSurf app. Passengers from abroad will be able to surf the internet for free with a SIM card (also eSIM) from a mobile phone provider participating in SBB FreeSurf. Trains with a free internet connection are marked with ‘FS’ (for FreeSurf) in the online timetable. When boarding the train, the customers can open the SBB FreeSurf app. Automatic recognition takes place using a beacon. After registering successfully, the customers will receive an SMS text confirming that they can surf for free via their mobile phone provider. When alighting from the train or switching off the connection, you will receive a message stating that free internet access is no longer active. We only need customers to provide the mobile number to be used for registration. ## Key features - Free internet access on SBB trains - Faster and smoother connection - Utilizes mobile phone coverage - Automatic recognition via beacon - SMS confirmation for registration ## Recent user reviews (10 of 56) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sbb-freesurf/id1437409619/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Don’t *2026-07-26* Don’t waste your time and your phone battery , doesn’t work unless is Swiss phone number **Developer response:** Travellers with a foreign telephone number can surf for free on the train with a SIM card from a participating provider. Thanks to eSIM and DUAL-SIM, this is comparatively easy. We opted for SBB FreeSurf because SBB FreeSurf offers better quality than WiFi. You can find all information about SBB FreeSurf at www.sbb.ch/en/freesurf. ### 1/5 — Leider unbrauchbar *2026-07-22* Bei praktisch jedem anderen europäischen Anbieter sind überregionale Verbindungen mit WLAN ausgestattet. In meinem EU-Vertrag ist ein Datenvolumen für Drittstaaten inkludiert. Hier ernsthaft von Kund:innen zu erwarten explizit für den Internetzugang auf einem der für Konsumenten teuersten Zugnetze einen Datenvertrag zu erwerben ist mMn eine ziemliche Frechheit. Wäre schön wenn man in einem IR nach Olten den gleichen 🛜 Service genießen könnte wie in einem ICE… **Developer response:** SBB FreeSurf ist die leistungsfähigere, technologieunabhängigere und kostengünstigere Lösung als ein WiFi. Reisende aus dem Ausland können mit einer SIM Karte eines beteiligten Providers im Zug kostenlos surfen. Dank eSIM und DUAL-SIM geht das vergleichsweise einfach. Alle Informationen zu SBB FreeSurf, Gratis-Internet im Zug mit der App SBB FreeSurf, erhalten Sie unter www.sbb.ch/freesurf. ### 1/5 — Swiss Only! *2026-07-12* You must have a Swiss mobile number in order to use. Too bad. **Developer response:** Travellers with a foreign telephone number can surf for free on the train with a SIM card from a participating provider. Thanks to eSIM and DUAL-SIM, this is comparatively easy. We opted for SBB FreeSurf because SBB FreeSurf offers better quality than WiFi. You can find all information about SBB FreeSurf at www.sbb.ch/en/freesurf. ### 1/5 — Abzocke!!! *2026-06-27* Nirgendwo auf der Welt braucht man für öffentliches WLAN eine lokale SIM-Karte. Aber bei einem der teuersten Bahnsystem der Welt bekommt man nicht einmal kostenloses WLAN. Das ist einfach nur peinlich und eine absolute Abzocke. **Developer response:** SBB FreeSurf ist die leistungsfähigere, technologieunabhängigere und kostengünstigere Lösung als ein WiFi. Reisende aus dem Ausland können mit einer SIM Karte eines beteiligten Providers im Zug kostenlos surfen. Dank eSIM und DUAL-SIM geht das vergleichsweise einfach. Alle Informationen zu SBB FreeSurf, Gratis-Internet im Zug mit der App SBB FreeSurf, erhalten Sie unter www.sbb.ch/freesurf. ### 1/5 — Anti-foreigner *2026-05-10* This app only works if you are a Swiss national or are willing to switch out your SIM card for a Swiss one which is totally unnecessary. No wonder the reviews are so low. Shocking approach to take. Get it sorted. **Developer response:** Travellers with a foreign telephone number can surf for free on the train with a SIM card from a participating provider. Thanks to eSIM and DUAL-SIM, this is comparatively easy. We opted for SBB FreeSurf because SBB FreeSurf offers better quality than WiFi. You can find all information about SBB FreeSurf at www.sbb.ch/en/freesurf. ### 1/5 — Not so friendly *2026-01-02* Visitors usually buy data only esim so why make it inconvenenient for tourists to avail of the free wifi. In Japan, visitors can get free and uncumbersome wifi on bullet trains. Why not allow phone numbers where tourists come from? **Developer response:** SBB FreeSurf is a more powerful, technology-independent, and cost-effective solution than WiFi. All Swiss mobile phone providers had the opportunity to express their interest in participating in SBB FreeSurf during the tender process. All providers that submitted a bid were considered in the award process. Anyone with a SIM card or eSIM from a participating provider can benefit from SBB FreeSurf. For more information, visit www.sbb.ch/en/freesurf. ### 3/5 — Nice but only with Swiss phone number *2025-12-30* Be nice to offer registration via email rather than phone only. Used the excellent SBB app throughout Switzerland recently but could not get access to the free wifi as travelling on a data only esim **Developer response:** Thank you for your review. For technical reasons (connection via telephone), registration is only possible by telephone number. Travellers with a foreign telephone number can surf for free on the train with a SIM card from a participating provider. Thanks to eSIM and DUAL-SIM, this is comparatively easy. We opted for SBB FreeSurf because SBB FreeSurf offers better quality than WiFi. You can find all information about SBB FreeSurf at www.sbb.ch/en/freesurf. ### 1/5 — Does not work *2025-09-13* You’ll get error “FS-300” with message “SBB FreeSurf is available to customers of digitec, Quickline, Salt, Sunrise, Swisscom.” or your number won’t be accepted I got this even when roaming on an eligible carrier. **Developer response:** Travellers with a foreign telephone number can surf for free on the train with a SIM card from a participating provider. Thanks to eSIM and DUAL-SIM, this is comparatively easy. We opted for SBB FreeSurf because SBB FreeSurf offers better quality than WiFi. You can find all information about SBB FreeSurf at www.sbb.ch/en/freesurf. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work with data only eSIM *2025-09-04* I have a data only eSIM from Airalo but can’t use this app as I don’t have a Swiss number. Guidance notes are misleading. **Developer response:** Travellers with a foreign telephone number can surf for free on the train with a SIM card from a participating provider. Thanks to eSIM and DUAL-SIM, this is comparatively easy. We opted for SBB FreeSurf because SBB FreeSurf offers better quality than WiFi. You can find all information about SBB FreeSurf at www.sbb.ch/en/freesurf. ### 1/5 — Coop mobile nicht zugelassen *2025-08-13* Obwohl es ebenfalls auf dem Netz der swisscom läuft. Ich kann freesurf also nicht nutzen **Developer response:** Alle Schweizer Mobilfunk-Anbieter hatten bei der durchgeführten Ausschreibung die Möglichkeit, ihr Interesse an der Teilnahme an SBB FreeSurf zu platzieren. Alle Provider, die ein Angebot unterbreitet haben, wurden bei der Vergabe berücksichtigt. Mit einer SIM-Karte oder eSIM eines beteiligten Providers können Alle von SBB FreeSurf profitieren. Alle Informationen erhalten Sie unter www.sbb.ch/freesurf ## Frequently asked questions about SBB FreeSurf ### What is SBB FreeSurf? SBB FreeSurf is an application that provides free internet access to passengers on SBB long-distance trains. It utilizes the strong mobile phone coverage along the rail routes to offer a faster and smoother connection compared to conventional train Wi-Fi. ### Who can use SBB FreeSurf? Customers with a digitec, Quickline, Salt, Sunrise, or Swisscom mobile phone contract can use the app for free internet. International passengers with a SIM card (including eSIM) from a participating mobile provider can also benefit from this service. ### How do I activate SBB FreeSurf? When you board a train marked with 'FS' in the timetable, open the SBB FreeSurf app. The app uses a beacon for automatic recognition. After successful registration, you will receive an SMS confirming your free internet access via your mobile provider. ### Is SBB FreeSurf available on all trains? SBB FreeSurf is available on SBB long-distance trains, specifically IC and IR types. Trains offering this free internet connection are marked with ‘FS’ (for FreeSurf) in the online timetable. ### Does SBB FreeSurf cost anything? The SBB FreeSurf app itself is free to download and use. The service provides free internet access, but you will need a mobile phone number from a participating provider to register and utilize the service. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.3.7 — 2025-11-17 Bug fixes and general improvements ### 1.3.6 — 2025-09-29 General troubleshooting ### 1.3.5 — 2025-03-13 General troubleshooting ### 1.3.4 — 2024-09-30 Improving security in the registration process ### 1.3.3 — 2024-01-17 Bug fixes and performance improvements. ## Apps similar to SBB FreeSurf | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Swiss Public Transport App](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swiss-public-transport-app/id997113037) | 3.0 (6) | Free | Travel | | [Matterhorn](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/matterhorn/id1440571628) | 4.7 (1,310) | Free | Travel | | [ZVV](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zvv/id1446767437) | 4.6 (224) | Free | Travel | | [Zürich City Guide](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/zurich-city-guide/id1488914833) | 2.5 (6) | Free | Travel | | [Grand Train Tour Switzerland](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/grand-train-tour-switzerland/id1481587199) | 5.0 (2) | Free | Travel | | [SwitzerlandMobility](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/switzerlandmobility/id527194959) | 4.4 (12) | Free | Travel | ## More apps by SBB AG - [SBB Mobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sbb-mobile/id294855237) - [SBB Preview](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sbb-preview/id1074833098) - [SBB go](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sbb-go/id1224135762) - [IVEG B2P](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iveg-b2p/id1304239256) - [P+Rail](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/p-plus-rail/id1355008152) - [WABE (B2P)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wabe-b2p/id1401994058) All apps by SBB AG: https://appshunter.io/developer/294855240 ## Related topics [sbb freesurf](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sbb-freesurf) · [sbb mobile](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sbb-mobile) · [basel sbb](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/basel-sbb) · [sbb](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/sbb) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-12.*